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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 2nd, 2023–Feb 3rd, 2023

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Akamina, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South.

Assess for wind slabs in consequential terrain before committing.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Small (size 1) isolated pockets of wind slab could be triggered by riders in lee terrain features. Wind slabs may linger directly lee of ridges at high elevations.

Please continue to share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Strong to extreme southwest wind continues to build isolated, hard wind slabs in the alpine near ridges. Wind slabs are building over wind-affected surfaces above 2100 m and a melt-freeze crust below.

The middle of the snowpack is consolidated. Weak faceted grains exist near the base of the snowpack.

The average snowpack depth is 120 cm and 200 cm in wind-loaded areas.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Clear skies with no precipitation, 50 to 60 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature -5 °C.

Friday

Clear skies with no precipitation, 40 to 50 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature -3 °C, freezing level 1500 m.

Saturday

Cloudy with light snowfall, accumulation 1 to 3 cm, 30 to 40 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature -3 °C, freezing level 1600 m.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy with light snowfall, accumulation 1 to 3 cm, 20 km/h west wind, treeline temperature -2 °C, freezing level 1700 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for wind slab hazard before you commit to it.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.